This time, I felt something.

It was warm.

A faint, steady heat was radiating from the thick silver heart.

I frowned.

Silver shouldn’t feel warm in a freezing cellar.

I gripped the pendant between my fingers, feeling a tiny, hard pulse of vibration deep inside the metal.

Before I could examine the seam on the side of the locket, a heavy thud shook the vault door.

Someone was throwing their weight against the steel outside.

The heavy brass handle began to turn.

My phone lit up in my hand.

The screen showed an unknown number.

I swiped the glass to answer, keeping my voice low.

“Adrian,” Caleb’s voice came through, thin and distorted by static. “You should have signed the papers when you had the chance.”

I did not reply.

I pressed the mute button and slid the phone back into my pocket.

My focus remained on the silver heart hanging from Lila’s neck.

The metal was hot against my thumb.

I pulled the chain gently, bringing the pendant closer to my eyes.

Nora watched me, her brow furrowed in confusion.